Hotel project seeks to close part of New Hampshire Street until March

After an unexpected construction issue closed part of the 900 block of New Hampshire for about two weeks, construction crews are seeking permission to close one lane until March.

Lawrence City commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday will consider a request to close the northbound lane from Ninth Street to the mid-block crossing in front of the Lawrence Arts Center.

According to a city memo detailing the request, construction crews need the extra space to accommodate a crane that will be used to set forms and raise steel and concrete into place.

Construction crews have told the city, however, that the crane could be moved and the northbound lane could temporarily be reopened for major downtown events such as the Old Fashioned Christmas Parade, which attracts thousands.

Because the lane closure would stop at the mid-block crosswalk, motorists still would have full access to the city-owned parking garage in the 900 block of New Hampshire. The closing, however, will eliminate on-street parking on the part of street reduced to one lane.

The closing comes after construction crews closed both lanes of traffic to relocate a storm sewer. That project was completed on Friday and the road was reopened to traffic.

Commissioners will consider the road closing at their 6:35 p.m. meeting on Tuesday.